Library Happenings – Reading Program begins June 15 (May 20, 2015 issue)

May has been so busy at your library that I am wishing I had a time-turner like Hermione Grainger in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” We have less than a month until the start of Summer Reading! We may still have plenty to do, but at least our schedule is set.
Our Summer Reading Programs for children, teens and adults will begin on Monday, June 15, and continue for six weeks. Because we have limited space and staff, our children’s programs are divided into groups by age. Each age group will meet at the library on its assigned day and time for each of the six weeks.
Special programs on Fridays will be held at Erwin’s Town Hall so all age groups may come together. Our Friday Fun Days will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on June 19, with Mr. Bond, Science Guy’s “Spectacular Science Show.”
This hour of fun, learning and explosions has become a highly anticipated highlight of our Summer Reading Programs, so put Mr. Bond on your calendar right now! The Summer Reading theme for 2015 is heroes. I can only imagine what Mr. Bond will do with that topic!
Who is your hero? Children tend to think of comic book superheroes, but we’re thinking about the subject a bit more broadly, considering hometown heroes, historical heroes and animal heroes as well. The slogan for children is “Every hero has a story.” I certainly won’t argue with that. In fact, I contend that every family has a hero with a fascinating story. We just need to find the hero in your family’s history and then tell his or her story.
Teens are urged to “Unmask,” while the recommendation to adults is “Escape the Ordinary.” I recently heard that high-altitude balloon rides into near-space will soon be available to anyone with a spare $75,000 in their adventure budget. I think I will stick to reading when I want to escape the ordinary. Unless you climb onto a stack of them, books don’t induce acrophobia and they certainly are more economical, especially if you borrow them from your library. What’s more, books can transport you through time as well as space. Let’s see the balloon do that!
Board Meeting
The Board of Trustees of the Unicoi County Public Library will meet in the library lobby at 6: p.m. on Thursday, May 21. The public is welcome to attend. Please call the library if you require any special accommodations.
Coming Soon
I will be placing an order for “beach reads” soon, so look for books by many of your favorite summer authors to start arriving as they are published in June.